Alright, this particular post is not going to be a ‘poking fun at people’ or an ‘advice list’. This is a story that I wish hadn’t happened to me.
On Friday last week, after I was done having fun at my soiree for work, and had said goodbye to my coworkers, I was driving home to prepare to visit my sister’s apartment. As I was driving, my phone rang and I answered it. It was a recording saying that the IRS had found a miscalculation on my taxes, and an arrest warrant was pending for me. To say I was a little freaked, would be an understatement. I got home, called the number, and asked what the f*ck was going on. I spoke to an Indian man, who threatened me if I told anyone what was going on, and if I hung up the phone.
I was afraid for myself and my family. They told me that I owed them over $2,000 and that I had to pay everything right then and there. I had never heard of this type of fraud before, and I was able to persuade them that if they called me back in an hour, I would have the money. In that space of time, I told my parents and my elder sister. They said it was a scam and to tell them to go screw themselves. My younger sister and I drove to our elder sister’s apartment, and during the drive, the scammers tried to call me over ten times. At one point, my sister told me to answer the phone. I did, and she said, “Go f*ck yourself!” I hung up a split second later. They tried again, and I ignored it.
When we arrived at my sister’s, they tried again, and I ignored it again and again. Finally, my older sister took my phone, answered, and said a whole slew of things that I will not go into detail on. They tried calling me again on Saturday, but I ignored it. I called my bank, put a few of my cards on fraud watch, cancelled my current debit card and ordered a new one, and put a complaint on FTC Complaint Assistant.
I feel better now that I’m pretty sure my money is safe, but the feeling I was experiencing on Friday, was fear. These people… these animals, get something from terrorizing innocents. They take their money and possibly, ruin their lives. I’m not a rich person. I don’t have money to throw around. If they had succeeded, there was a good chance I never would have recovered. I was afraid that day. I never want to experience fear like that again. People like them deserve to be arrested and put away for good. Or worse. I’m not a forgiving person. It’s not in my nature. And when people make me feel fear, I feel weak. I don’t like feeling weak.
Just know that if you get a call like that, and somebody threatens you and tries to take what’s yours, stand up for yourself. Make them feel fear. Let the inner beast out and you will not only save your assets and future, you will also save your pride.
And on that note, it’s been real!
It's Been Real! 